Whether working with chair spindles or antique end tables, you want to make your furniture look its best. At the same time, if quality furniture needs refinishing or restoration, you will want to make sure you do not decrease its value. You will need to begin by accurately assessing what needs to be done; your furniture may be covered with paint or may simply need a thorough cleaning. Does this Spark an idea?
Cleaning Antique Furniture
Over time, old furniture is affected by dust, wax, oils, sweat, dirt and grime. Not only does the furniture finish become dark and dingy and the grain become obscured, but the finish can become soft and sticky.
If this describes your furniture, try a thorough cleaning before doing anything drastic. Many times, a good cleaning is all that is needed.
Depending on the condition of the furniture, you might want to start by washing it down with a mild oil-based soap like Murphy Oil Soap, available at most hardware stores. You will want to use warm water, a little soap, a soft-scrubber (like you might use on coated cookware) and a soft cotton cloth to dry.
If the dirt and grime is too ingrained in the wood, you can try using mineral spirits with 0000 grade steel wool before cleaning with the soap and water. You will be amazed at the difference a little cleaning makes on many pieces of older furniture.
If cleaning your furniture brings it back to life, it is best to leave it as is and not to strip or actually refinish it.
Stripping And Refinishing
If your furniture is painted or if the finish is in particularly bad shape, you might need to refinish it.
You will want to start with a chemical furniture refinishing product. Many different types are available at your local paint store. Follow the directions carefully.
Since you are working with antiques, the goal is restoration--restoring your furniture back to its original look. This rules out polyurethanes for the final finish as they were not available when the antique furniture was new. This means you will probably want to use either a furniture grade lacquer or a tung oil finish.
If properly stripped and cleaned, and an original type of final finish is applied, your antique furniture can look like new again.
Tags: your furniture, will want, dirt grime, final finish, finish become, furniture look, thorough cleaning